Things to do & places to visit in South Holland Province, The Netherlands

Encompassing two of the Netherlands’ three largest cities (Rotterdam and The Hague), Zuid-Holland (South Holland) is also home to important towns like Leiden, Gouda and Delft. And many lovely smaller towns dot the gorgeous green landscape. Alphen aan den Rijn has several interesting attractions, including Dutch history theme park Archeon. Picturesque Kinderdijk, birthplace of the legend of the Cat and the Cradle, also has many windmills that together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

South Holland Province #2 destination in The Netherlands 2023. The average rating score is 4.33 based on 116.8k traveler reviews, of 1.085 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Amsterdam, current date and time: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 23:19.

South Holland Province Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in April

55°F - 42°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Cold and breezy

Feels like

21%

Chance of rain

48.0 millimeters

Amount

15.5 mph

Wind speed

74%

Humidity

13.8

Daylight length

6:47 AM

Sunrise

8:38 PM

Sunset

48%

Cloud cover

Jacket

What to wear

Top things to do (28)

Top destinations in South Holland Province 100

See more 88 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

4.5 Keukenhof (12.3k reviews) from $27.84
- Well worth it !!!!
Temporarily closed - Closed until Mar 23, 2023 Spent 2-3 hours Parks • Gardens

Keukenhof is the independent, international showcase for the Dutch floricultural sector, with a special emphasis on flower bulbs. In the space of 8 weeks Keukenhof demonstrates what the Dutch floricultural sector has to offer. The focus in the park is on the 7 million spring flowering bulbs. 100 flower bulb companies display their products and 500 growers present an enormous variety of cut flowers and pot plants at more than 20 flower shows. See more..
4.5 Markthal (7.791 reviews)
- Absolutely incredible design with an interior packed full of places to visit
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Shopping Malls

The Markthal (English: Market Hall) is a residential and office building with a market hall, located in Rotterdam. The building was opened on October 1, 2014, by Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. Besides the large market hall, the complex houses 228 apartments, 4600 m2 retail space, 1600 m2 horeca and an underground 4-storey parking garage with a capacity of 1200 cars. The Markthal was designed by architectural firm MVRDV. The grey nature stone building has an archwise structure like a horseshoe. The building has a glass facade on both sides, these are made up of smaller glass windows. The smaller windows are mostly squared and around 1485 millimeters wide. All of these are hung around a structure of steel cables, 34 metres high and 42 metres wide, which makes it the largest glass-window cable structure in Europe. Each facade has 26 vertical and 22 horizontal cables. The inside of the building is an 11.000 m2 artwork by Arno & Iris Coenen, named Hoorn des Overvloeds (Horn of Plenty). See more..
4.5 The Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery (5.027 reviews)
- Wonderful collection
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries • Art Museums

The Mauritshuis is home to the very best of Dutch Golden Age painting. The compact, yet world-renowned collection, is situated in the heart of The Hague, right next to the government centre. Masterpieces such as Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt, The Goldfinch by Fabritius and The Bull by Potter are on permanent display in the intimate rooms of this seventeenth-century monument. See more..
4.5 Rotterdam Centraal Station (4.374 reviews)
- Day Trip to Rotterdam
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

I took a day trip to visit this amazing city. I loved it because it’s not over populated with tourist and there was alto to see and do. I took the ICD train from Amsterdam Central Station direct to Rotterdam with 1 stop at Schiphol Airport, It took about 50mins to arrive. Cost for RT 40€. I literally walked around the City for 8hrs. From Rotterdam Central Station I walked to Markthal Rotterdam (a must see) you can find all types for food from around the world, get your spices and everything, stop at the outdoor market for fresh fish, fruits and clothing, near Cube House all in the same area of the market. cross the bridge and took the boat to SS Rotterdam, book your reservation for dinner on the ship In Advance. Many cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from, there is no shortage. Overall is a beautiful city to explore and I will definitely visit again for a few days. See more..
4.5 Madurodam (3.865 reviews) from $23.02
- Madurodam
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • Amusement & Theme Parks

Discover Holland's highlights and heritage in this world famous miniature and Holland theme park. You will discover Holland’s most iconic landmarks and history through a story of magnificent miniatures and indoor attractions. The stunning park filled with flowers is a beauty for the eye and shows 338 miniatures. From little Amsterdam to Dutch national architecture built on a scale of 1:25 with miniature trains, boats and cars moving around. Madurodam will make you discover Holland's rich history with remarkable stories like the Dutch ability to transform water into land. And did you know New York was Dutch in former days? Come find out in our attraction Nieuw-Amsterdam! Madurodam is very family friendly with two large playgrounds and plenty of fun interactive installations. You will get the full Holland experience in one place and many Instagram worthy picture possibilities. Visit us! We are open 365 days a year and offer information in 11 languages. See you soon in Madurodam. See more..
4.5 Erasmus Bridge (3.761 reviews)
- Modern Bridge
Architectural Buildings • Bridges

Considered an architectural work of art, Rotterdam's imposing bridge that is shaped like a harp soars over the largest harbor in Europe. See more..
4.5 World Heritage Kinderdijk (3.390 reviews)
- Best place to experience Dutch water management technologies
Sunday: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Educational sites • History Museums

The Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage site is a unique icon of seven centuries of Dutch water management. All phases of the history of our struggle against water are still visible here. The unique collection of 19 mills in an authentic Dutch landscape is a true eye catcher. With your ticket you'll have access to all visiting locations and tour boats for four hours. The Nederwaard Museum Mill shows how families lived and worked in our mills around 1900. At the Blokweer Museum Mill, you’ll experience what life was like in the fifties of last century. In the Overwaard Museum Mill and the adjacent education barn everything revolves around technology. Watch our multi-screen film in Secondary pumping station 'De Fabriek' and visit the historic Wisboom pumping station from 1868. Get on board of our tour boats and enjoy Kinderdijk from the water. Feel the wind, smell the water and listen to the sound of the windmills. The Kinderdijk World Heritage site is open almost the entire year! See more..
4.5 Escher in Het Paleis (Escher in the Palace) (2.927 reviews)
- Great trip
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Art Museums

Escher at the Palace is dedicated to the work of Holland’s most famous graphic artist M.C. Escher. Nearly all his prints are exhibited, among them Belvedere, Drawing Hands, Waterfall and Ascending and Descending. Here you can see how Escher changed fishes into birds, made water flow upstream and his less known, but very attractive early Italian landscapes. On our main- and first floor you can see how his work progressed from depicting the real world to his constructed worlds. Optical illusion is a key word in his work.An optical illusion depicts something which is in fact impossible. M.C. Escher was a master in this field. An optical illusion literally means doing puzzles with your eyes. The visitor will be able to unravel some of Escher’s mysteries like the Impossible Penrose Triangle by constructing one himself. The extra presentation “In the Eye of Escher” shows various themes in which Escher was involved, like reflection, perception and perspective. See more..
4.5 Rotterdam Zoo (2.874 reviews) from $26.77
- Great day out
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Zoos

We came here for the day because being members of our local zoo gave us free entry to this zoo, but would happily have paid to get in. The variety of animals to see is the best of any zoo I have been too. For us it took 3-4 hours to get around the whole zoo, but could quite easily be a full day with small children See more..
4.5 Panorama Mesdag (2.023 reviews)
- Retracing childhood steps
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • History Museums

A magnificent experience in time and space. See more..
4.5 Louwman Museum The Hague (2.004 reviews)
- The best collection of vehicles in the cleanest surroundings
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

The Louwman Museum is home to the world's oldest private collection of motor cars, compiled by two generations of the Louwman family. The museum dates back to 1934 and now comprises over two hundred and fifty antique and classic motor cars. Experts regard the collection as one of the most beautiful in the World. The museum exudes passion. Each car has its own story to tell, its own contribution to history. The motor car is a mirror of culture. The collection is housed in a purpose-built museum in The Hague, the city where P.W. Louwman established his Dodge and Chrysler import company. The building, designed by American architect Michael Graves, blends in sympathetically with its historic surroundings. The landscape gardens, designed by Lodewijk Baljon, complement the architecture of the building. See more..
4.5 Kunstmuseum Den Haag (1.622 reviews)
- Lovely morning in the Kunstmuseum
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

The monumental Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, designed by the architect H.P. Berlage in 1935, is perfect for wandering around in. It houses a varied collection and many changing exhibitions. You will find the world’s biggest collection of works by Piet Mondrian, the highlight being his last abstract work Victory Boogie Woogie, along with some of the finest works by artists of the Hague School, paintings by Picasso, Kandinsky, Van Gogh, Monet, Toorop and many contemporary artists. Gemeentemuseum Den Haag also houses one of the biggest and best collections of Delftware. See more..
4.5 Peace Palace (1.459 reviews)
- A must-see/do in The Hague
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Government Buildings

Taking a guided tour through is your only option for this place. Having said that, it's the best way as well. The guides know literally everything about the place. Every brick every time every sculpture of painting was a gift from a country who supported the construction of The Peace Palace. The history of this building and what it represents is extremely fascinating and well worth the effort if you're ever here in The Hague. 10 out of 10! See more..
4.5 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (1.336 reviews)
- Great museum
Speciality Museums

This place is temporarily closed. See more..
4.5 Binnenhof & Ridderzaal (Inner Court & Hall of the Knights) (1.186 reviews)
- The oldest still active seat of government
Government Buildings

These are the official offices of the Dutch Parliament and the Office of the Prime Minister. See more..
4.5 Witte de Withstraat (832 reviews)
- Best place to be if you want an alcohol filled night out.......
Points of Interest & Landmarks

We walked through this street on a Saturday night after a concert in the nearby Armenius church. It was very very busy. Mostly with young people (20-30), drinking, talking, singing. We had some trouble now and then to walk on due to the many and overcrowded terraces and pubs with people on the walkway. Good atmosphere though. We can see that this could be fun if you are looking for a partner, some fun etc. See more..
4.5 Beestenmarkt (754 reviews)
- This is the place to go!
Points of Interest & Landmarks

This lovely square is filled with trees shading you on warm days as you sit on one of the restaurants that is all around the square. There is plenty of restaurants to choose from, and in our opinion much better choice of restaurants than what you find on Markt. We found that this was the most popular place for the locals as well. From 1595 to 1972 the square was the Delft cattle market where local farmers came with their cattle. This was then replaced making place for a parking lot. In the 90's it was being transformed into the lively square you'll find today. See more..
4.5 Markt (718 reviews)
- Lovely town square
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

Delft Markt is the large town square located in the city of Delft famous for the blue coloured Delft Pottery. You will find the swuare sourounded by these pottery stores. The day we visited there was a market on. The famous Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) but ironicaly its not new and Stadhuis Delft (Town Hall) are located on the square. Its also surrounded by many cafes, restaurants and bars as well as retrail stores. This square is the hub of the city. See more..
4.5 Soldaat van Oranje - De Musical (629 reviews)
- Must see
Theatre & Performances

Soldier of Orange - The Musical is based on the true story of one of the greatest Dutch resistance warfighters, Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema. Soldier of Orange - The Musical premiered on October 30, 2010 with the former Queen of the Netherlands Beatrix in attendance. The theatre, where Soldier of Orange - The Musical currently plays is a plane hangar at the former Valkenburg Airport in the Netherlands. The audience experiences the show in ‘SceneAround’, a theatrical performance solution specially developed for this production. The audience is seated on a 360-degree rotating auditorium that turns from set to set, accompanied by 180-degree projections, to create an unforgettable theatre experience. Since 2015 the production has broken all Dutch theatre records. Soldier of Orange - The Musical has played more than 2.700 sold-out performances to a total audience of over 2,9 million. See more..
4.5 Museum Voorlinden (597 reviews)
- Take your time and enjoy
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums

Enjoy modern and contemporary art, architecture and nature at museum Voorlinden, Wassenaar, the Netherlands. See more..
4.5 Museum Prinsenhof Delft (594 reviews)
- Interesting museum
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

The Museum Prinsenhof Delft offers a unique opportunity to explore the history of the Netherlands, Delft and delftware. The museum is housed in a building of great historical importance, the site of some of the most dramatic and consequential events of Dutch history. It was once the court of William of Orange, the Father of the Dutch Nation. In the museum you will also discover the role the citizens of Delft played in the history of the Netherlands and how delftware became the global brand it is today. See more..
4.5 Japanese Garden (591 reviews)
- Worth a visit especially when it's open limited time in a year only
Gardens

Open usually in May and two weeks in October, the Japanese garden receives more and more visitors each year. Photography and theme photo shoot lovers can't miss the garden in blossom. It's a modest size garden, well curated and looked after. Weekdays visit may be better as on a weekend the place is too busy to have any pleasurable impression and idea of the garden the essence of which- to rejoice with nature in harmony, solitude and silence. See more..
4.5 National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden) (570 reviews)
- Great Special Exhibitions
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Speciality Museums • Art Museums • History Museums

The National Museum of Antiquities is housed in an old monumental building and ‘Begijnhof’. It is the Dutch centre for archaeology. A large part of the collection consists of objects related to ancient Egypt. Unique is the two thousand year old Egyptian temple in the central hall of the museum. Besides ancient Egypt, the museum covers the Middle East, the Classical world and the early history of the Netherlands. The entire collection consists of more than 80,000 objects, including statues of Roman emperors, Etruscan tomb finds and mummies. See more..
4.5 Museum Volkenkunde (570 reviews)
- Interesting for everyone
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

Museum Volkenkunde is a museum about people housed in a historic building just five minutes' walk from Leiden's central station. A huge totem pole greets visitors as they enter the museum through the garden. Museum Volkenkunde presents regularly changing exhibitions and its permanent display features objects from eight different cultural regions. Objects that all have a story to tell about humankind. See more..
4.5 Sint-Janskerk (559 reviews)
- Beautiful but too pricey.
Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

THE LONGEST CHURCH OF THE NETHERLANDS The great fire of 1552 destroyed much of the medieval church of Saint John. Shortly after the disaster, the council commissioned the reconstruction of the most startling church of Holland. With 123 meters it is also the longest church in The Netherlands THE 72 STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS ARE WORLD-FAMOUS Entering the Church of St. John, one falls silent at the sight of the majestic space with the 72 world-famous stained-glass windows. That first experience will only get stronger when you see the marvellous light by the 'Dutch Masters' invading the Church. The rich history of Holland can be read in the large windows. It is a beginning of an impressive discovery along biblical and historical scenes of human emotions. Then you understand that the Gouda St. John is one of the highest rated attractions in the Netherlands! See more..
4.5 Stadium Feijenoord (De Kuip) (521 reviews)
- really enjoyed
Arenas & Stadiums

Really enjoyed visiting this stadium! Was in the away end so was a little confusing how to get in but once we did it was a great experience. Can imagine the atmosphere is superb for a league game. A little bar available for away fans and it is really cheap. See more..
4.5 Scheveningen Beach (504 reviews)
- Windy But Fun
Beaches

What a fun beach to visit! It is an easy trip on the tram from The Hague to Scheveningen Beach. It was very windy when we were there, but people were flying kites and it was fun to walk along the beach and on the pier. I would recommend leaving the boardwalk to eat as you can find less expensive options a few streets from the beach. See more..
4.5 Molenmuseum de Valk (497 reviews)
- Steep Stairs but worth it!
Sunday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

Visitors to the Valk Windmill learn about the history, life, skills and techniques of the 18th-century Dutch miller. See more..
4.5 Stadhuis Gouda (City Hall) (474 reviews)
- Where my parents were married.
Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings

The city hall of Gouda was completed in 1450 and is the oldest gothic city hall in the Netherlands. See more..
4.0 Euromast (3.354 reviews)
- OMG
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Observation Decks & Towers

The most beautiful view of Rotterdam Visiting Rotterdam? Then you should not skip the Euromast. From a great height you see the city in a unique perspective. Enjoy the best view of Rotterdam at a height of 100 meters. Not high enough? Take the colorful Euroscoop to the top and see the city from 185 meters high with a light and sound show. For the real daredevil, you can abseil from the Euromast every weekend from May to September. Also download the Magnicity app and collect information about more than 50 special Rotterdam buildings through your screen. Through VR technology you can see what the city looked like after the bombing in 1940. See more..